Don't invite bears home for dinner

Biologists expect a large crop of baby bears in the mountains of North Carolina this spring thanks to the low number of bears killed by hunters in 2012 and plentiful natural food sources.

That means more of them will likely wander into neighborhoods where they will delight, entertain or frighten residents. The nature of those encounters will mostly depend on whether the humans involved take reasonable precautions to keep themselves and the bears safe.

N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission officers already receive hundreds of bear nuisance complaints annually, bear biologist Mike Carraway told a Citizen-Times reporter, and they're worried that the expected population increase will exceed most residents' tolerance for the mischief the bears can do and the potential threat they pose.

New housing subdivisions that push the human population farther into bear territory ironically also create a kind of bear sanctuary where hunters can no longer harvest bears, the primary means biologists have of controlling their numbers.

Fortunately, black bears are generally shy and not aggressive toward humans. By taking reasonable precautions, we can coexist with them. Out of respect for the natural world and responsible stewardship of our beautiful mountains, we should make every effort to do that.

Bears play a critical role in the their ecosystem and are an important indicator species of the health of the environment, according to biologists. They also have great cultural significance for the people of Western North Carolina.

They are intelligent and have keen senses of smell and hearing. They also have good memories for food sources. They are primarily nocturnal but can be seen any time of day. The best way for people to keep them out of their yards is to avoid attracting them there with anything that might be a source of food.

Bears will begin emerging from hibernation sometime between February and April, depending on how cold the winter is. Once they begin roaming the hills again, those who live in bear country - which is increasingly pretty much everywhere in WNC - should:

? Take bird feeders in at night.

? Keep garbage cans inside a garage or other building until time for pickup.

? Keep outdoor barbecues and other outdoor cooking sites clean at all times.

? Make sure no animal products or waste are placed in compost piles or otherwise left outside.

By failing to take these precautions, residents encourage bears to overcome their natural wariness of humans and become a threat that will have to be destroyed. More importantly, they risk damage to their own and others' property and harm to themselves, their neighbors or pets.

A larger population also makes it more likely that hikers and motorists will encounter bears along hiking trails and roads, especially those through state and federal parks and forests. Bears will generally move away if they hear people coming. But if you should encounter a bear, keep your distance, make noise and move away, but don't run. If you're hiking with a dog, keep it on a leash if you are in an area where bears might be present. Bears will usually run from dogs, but if a bear is cornered or has cubs, it could hurt or kill a dog.

It goes without saying that it's dangerous to feed a wild bear, but it's not just the person doing the feeding who is at risk. People who feed a bear and condition it to associate food with humans are almost certainly signing the bear's death warrant. Park and wildlife officials have no choice but to kill bears that lose their natural caution and begin to approach people.

Black bears are the largest wild mammal left in WNC. They once thrived throughout the state. But by the early 1900s, thanks in part to excessive logging and unregulated hunting, they had almost become extinct like the wolves, panthers and bison that once lived here.

Thanks to hunters and other conservationists who pushed for regulations, bears have made a comeback in the mountains and coastal areas.

By treating bears with the respect they deserve - but not inviting them to dinner - we can live in harmony with these splendid animals. The degree to which we do will be a good indicator of the respect we have for the diversity and magnificence of the natural world that so enriches the lives of those of us fortunate enough to live in Western North Carolina.

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Don't invite bears home for dinner

Biologists expect a large crop of baby bears in the mountains of North Carolina this spring thanks to the low number of bears killed by hunters in 2012 and plentiful natural food sources.